Sunday, January 15, 2017

Review: Cherry Pie by Samantha Kane (Exclusive Giveaway)

Cherry Pie (Mercury Rising Book 1) by Samantha Kane

Date of Publication: September 16, 2014

Blurb

You can go home again—if you can get a foot in the door.

Mercury Rising, Book 1A year after packing and moving from L.A. to Mercury, North Carolina, John Ford still hasn't adjusted to the heat. Or to life without his long-time partner. As he fixes up the old house he bought, the quiet becomes his only companion, and he's content with that—until a deep-voiced stranger plants himself under a tree across the street.Eight years ago, Connor Meecham left someone behind in that house—himself. Now he's back to find the man he used to be, before drugs and prison sent his life careening off the tracks. But it's not his mother's face peering through the window any more. It's a man who seems as lost as Conn himself.When John learns what the house—and the dying town—mean to Conn, he finds himself opening the door to his heart. Just a crack. But it's enough to get mixed up in a world of emotions as complicated as the recipe for the perfect cherry pie. Where one misstep can turn something sweet and juicy into one hot mess.Warning: Contains a guitar-wielding, brooding Southern boy and a reclusive millionaire with a weakness for cherry pie and hot coffee. Excessive porch sittin' and lemonade included.

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4 Stars!!!

Cherry Pie is book 1 in the Mercury Rising series and my first book by Samantha Kane.

John Ford moved to Mercury from California after the death of his lover a year ago. He's still not used to the little town and mostly keeps to himself, working on repairing the house he bought until he notices a stranger looking at his house from across the street.

Connor Meecham left Mercury to go to college 8 years ago, but life got in the way and he ended up in prison and doing drugs. Now he's back in Mercury, sober and trying to find himself in his old house.

John opens his house to Connor in exchange for help with the repairs and slowly the loneliness he's felt since Steve's death, changes into something else, as they get closer.

I loved Connor. My heart broke for him so many times. Despite all he'd gone through, he was trusting and reliable and so very sweet and polite. I didn't particularly like John for most of the book, however, once he finally got his head out of his a** and realized that Connor was nothing like Steve, he did it in such a way that it made me end up loving him.

Their interaction during the first half of the book was a bit awkward in almost every sense, except when they fell into bed. The chemistry between them was undeniable, even if all the rest needed some work. They were both men of few words, so, of course, that didn't help matters.

“Sometimes, John, the lies we tell ourselves are the only thing that make the truth bearable.”

That was such a true statement in their case. And really, there were some times where I felt Connor was much more mature than John and that John didn't deserve him, but as I said before, he proved himself in more ways than I expected.

I loved Miss Priscilla and Toby, his wife and father, and even Kristine, Steve's sister and who I hated when she showed up at first.

All in all, this was a very good read! I laughed, I cried a little and I was completely invested in Connor and John's HEA, which was as sweet as it could be.

Very recommendable!

*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie by the author/publisher for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. ***

About Samantha Kane

Reviewers have called Samantha Kane "an absolute marvel to read," and "one of historical romance's most erotic and sensuous authors." Her books have been called "sinful," "sensuous," and "sizzling."She is published in several romance genres including historical, contemporary and science fiction. Her erotic Regency-set historical romances have won awards, including Best Historical from RWA's erotic romance chapter Passionate Ink, and the Historical CAPA (best book) award from The Romance Studio.Samantha Kane has a master's degree in American History, and taught high school social studies for ten years before becoming a full time writer. She lives in North Carolina with her husband and three children. Ms Kane loves to hear from readers. Contact her or subscribe to her newsletter.